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Photos can make samosas and jalebi taste better

By
Indian Link
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0
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The recipe for making food appear tastier is looking at photos of it, a new study shows

If you are a foodie and want to make your Indian food for a dinner party taste even better, all you have to do is hit up Instagram. By checking our hashtags such as #foodporn #desijunkfood #indianfood, you are in for a mouth-watering experience!

Researchers from the University of San Diego in California and Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, have found that people who scroll through multi-ethnic cuisine food photos on Instagram will perceive the food as tastier than those who did not procrastinate on Instagram.
However, this study found that looking through food porn on Instagram only works for foods seen as indulgent, and not healthy meals.
“It provides insight into the effects of consumers taking pictures of their food before consumption, a growing trend on social media sites (Instagram). Marketing managers can develop strategies to encourage their consumers to take pictures of their food,” the researchers explained.
Food Porn.Indian Link
This is the first research to demonstrate the effects of consumer-generated images on a product consumption experience and identify the conditions and process under which these effects occur.
The results have published in the Journal of Consumer Marketing.
So unfortunately, you won’t be able to make your bland rice and dal appear to be tastier…but for photos of jalebi, pakoras and naan, Instagram away!
Food Porn.Indian Link
 

NSW Premier welcomes new Consul General of India in Sydney

By
Indian Link
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0
Reading Time: 2 minutes

NSW Premier Mike Baird expressed a warm welcome to B. Vanlalvawna, Consul General of India in Sydney, at a recent Harmony Dinner in Sydney

Consul General of India in Sydney.Indian Link
“Can I warmly welcome the Consul General. It’s fantastic to welcome not only him, but his wife and three children, who I understand have already started school.
“We know how important the relationship is – not just Australia and India, but with New South Wales as the gateway from India into Australia. We spent a lot of time working on that relationship and what we have seen, certainly with the visit by from Prime Minister recently, is that the relationship is going from strength to strength.
“My personal visit was very memorable across a range of events, there were many activities that we continue to work on together and I’m very hopeful of returning at the end of this year or early next year to continue those discussions and hopefully to see the Prime Minister again.
“There are many things we can work on. I don’t need to tell you how important the relationship is so it’s fantastic to have the Consul General on the ground.
Consul General of India in Sydney.Indian Link
“We’re very keen as a Government to wish everyone a happy Holi Festival.
“We know how important the festival is and I think it’s one of the great things that we have in this multicultural NSW is the opportunity to celebrate together.
“It’s another festival that brings us together and we’re very proud to have many celebrations around the coming weeks so, Happy Holi Festival to everyone.”

Virtual reality is here

By
Indian Link
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0
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Telstra brings virtual reality to stores across Australia with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone

Australians will be able to transport themselves to vivid virtual worlds, sit front row at events and play immersive 3D games from the comfort of their lounge room when Telstra launches the new Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge alongside a futuristic headset that transforms these smartphones into virtual reality devices.
The new Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are Samsung’s most sophisticated smartphones yet featuring a luxurious metal design, high-speed web performance, upgraded camera optics and the return of much-loved features like water and dust protection and expandable memory.
Samsung Galaxy S7.Indian Link
But according to Andrew Volard, Telstra’s Director of Devices, it is the arrival of the Gear VR headset that is set to take the smartphone experience even further and make virtual reality a mainstream way to play games, be immersed in unique experiences and access entertainment. Customers will be able to experience a range of different immersive VR content from an intergalactic trip to Mars to a serene walk through a Japanese garden to a night at the symphony watching the orchestra play Beethoven.
“For the first time, we’re making virtual reality headsets available for customers to experience across our store network as part of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge launch. We think they’re going to be hugely popular.
“These clever headsets have sensors and a touchpad and work by drawing on the vivid screen, processing power and wireless connectivity of S7 smartphones.
“They can transport the wearer to another world, place them front row at a concert and send them sightseeing to far-flung cities. The immersive effect has to be seen to be believed. We will be hosting demonstrations at Telstra stores across the nation so our customers can experience it for themselves.”

Volard said the Galaxy smartphone range is one of the most popular in Australia with hundreds of thousands of our customers choosing these phones in the last year alone.
“Orders for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge went live a couple of weeks ago and already we’ve seen our strongest pre-launch demand for a Galaxy phone yet.
“Both phones have secured our Blue Tick, which will also boost their appeal and means they offer the best handheld coverage performance in regional coverage areas.”
Mr Volard said Telstra customers upgrading to the new smartphones can look forward to the fastest web speeds yet on Samsung’s flagship phones with both the S7 and the S7 edge supporting category 9 LTE download speeds of up to 450Mbps on Telstra’s 4GX network (typical download speeds are 5-150Mbps in 4GX areas and 2-50Mbps in 4G areas). That means faster streaming, sharing and surfing on the web when in 4GX coverage areas.
Other features customers will love include Samsung’s new 12MP Dual Sensor camera with even faster auto focus and outstanding lowlight performance, an immersive Quad HD display and wireless charging with an optional wireless charging pad (sold separately).
Australians can get hands-on with the new Galaxy smartphones and Gear VR headset in Telstra stores from 11 March.

Workout skincare

By
Minnal Khona
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2
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Sip water, wear a hat and sunscreen, go bare faced

These days most people are taking up exercise to stay fit, but not many realise that, if proper care is not taken, basic fitness workouts like swimming or running can cause skin problems.

Should you wear sunscreen? What kind should you use? And how do you take it off completely? How much water should you drink?
I asked a few friends who do different forms of exercise regularly and here are some of the tips they gave me to keep your skin healthy if you are exercising.
At the gym
While exercising makes you sweat, which is a good way to exfoliate or remove toxins from the skin, issues can arise with dry skin due to dehydration. If you are working out in a gym, you will lose water content in the body due to sweat, which in turn dehydrates the skin. Plus, a bath or shower after exercise, if not followed up with enough water and a good moisturiser, can dry skin further.
Make sure you drink enough water before and after you exercise, and at regular intervals while you are working out.

Use a body scrub regularly to exfoliate because sweat can clog pores and cause blackheads. Applying a water-based body lotion all over after a shower also helps keep the skin moist.
An important tip given by a friend who loves to party is not to undertake vigorous exercise the next day if you have had a few drinks. Alcohol causes dehydration and running the morning after further dehydrates the skin as you are bound to sweat more. She usually sticks to a calmer yoga routine if she has had a couple of glasses of wine the night before.
Exercising outside
If you are exercising outdoors, pollution in the air, dust particles and UV rays from the harsh sun, can do enough damage to put you off exercise completely. It’s a must to protect your skin.
Most of us use SPF as a part of our daily routine, but if you are exercising, depending on the time of day you are outdoors, use a non-oily formula as it can clog the skin by mixing with the sebum and the oils secreted. Make sure you wash it off well afterwards as even remnants will be enough to clog the skin.
If you are carrying a little pouch, besides drinking water, carry a spritzer with a facial mist or just plain water. Keep spraying on your face at regular intervals to keep the skin moist and the temperature low. Wearing a baseball cap or hat can help protect the skin and hair from the sun’s rays. Avoid crinkling your eyes while you run as that will give you crows’ feet.

Ditch the makeup
For those of you who are never seen without their makeup or lipstick on, here is some bad news. If possible, you should not wear makeup while you exercise – at the gym or outdoors. You may want that cute guy on the treadmill to notice you all dolled up, but foundation, mascara and lipstick can really do more harm in the long run than an unrequited crush.
Wearing makeup when you are going to perspire means it will start to come off, with the sweat, and run down your face. Whether it is uneven foundation or streaks of mascara, the sight is not pretty. Plus, as you exercise, your body warms up, the pores open, and the chemicals in the makeup go deeper into your skin. If you absolutely have to wear foundation, look for a mineral-based, or gel-based, one. And gloss is a better option than lipstick, if you like having a bit of colour on your face while you work out.
Swimming skincare
An obvious idea is that, with all the chemicals, swimming in a pool can damage coloured hair. But ask fitness enthusiasts about skincare while swimming and most will shrug and say nothing. In fact, your skin can also be affected by pool water. It’s not just the face and neck either; while swimming, most of the body is exposed to the chlorinated water and is more likely to get damaged.
Most pools are chlorinated, and that can really dry out your skin out, not to mention what it can do to your hair. Make sure you shower really well after a swim to get that chlorine off you, including the smell. Plus, if you have time, linger in the shower a bit longer, as the running water will give your body some extra moisture. Shampoo and soap yourself twice if you can, and then slather your skin with a water-based body lotion. Hypoallergenic or organic ones work best. Conditioner to protect your hair is also a must.
Staying fit is all very well, but don’t forget to look after your skin while you exercise. That way, you look gorgeous and are in top shape at all times.

Balancing act for migrant accountants

By
Hansen Menezes
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0
Reading Time: 4 minutes

It’s the classic chicken-or-the-egg: No job opportunities without local work experience

In the era of rapid globalisation of businesses, the need for universal accounting professionals is very significant. In today’s world, qualifications alone do not matter as there is a constant need to upgrade competency, build new expertise, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is the world’s second largest professional accounting body, with more than 240,000 members. The student membership is roughly four times that of full time ICAI members, which illustrates the importance of chartered accountants in building a robust economy. Clearing ICAI exams is a tough task, with historical pass percentages of a miniscule 3-6 per cent. However, there is a lot of potential by getting this qualification as employability is high, you can work from remote locations and has no capitation fee.

Many Indian chartered accountants are spread all over the globe with Australia being one of the top migration destinations. However, life is not all that rosy! Many of them leave their lavish lifestyle behind and struggle after stepping on Australian shores. They go through a very tough phase in life just to get that one break, which can help them earn their livelihood in an expensive country.
Those who have an Australian permanent residency seldom start off with a job in the first month of being in Australia, even though they have top accounting qualifications and loads of work experience. Some of them are lucky to get an international transfer while working with a Big Four or MNC, while others have to wait for at least 3-6 months on an average to get a decent break. How you utilise this period is what matters most, as it is a true test of character, like how gold is tested by fire.
Unlike other professions such as medicine, Indian chartered accountants are recognised through a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and CPA Australia. To obtain membership with these institutes, there are certain modules that need to be completed along with specific good standing and skill requirements.
Additionally, ICAI has chapters in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and has recently inaugurated a New Zealand chapter. These chapters ensure that its members obtain benefits in the form of networking opportunities, continuing professional development, facilitation of membership issues and renewal of the mutual recognition agreements.
Recent migrant Tushar learned valuable life lessons during his transition period moving to Australia and finding work.
“I had very high expectations coming into Australia as I got my permanent residency within a month’s time and also had fourteen years of accounting experience working across multiple geographies,” he said. “But the initial months were very difficult as the recruitment agencies cited either lack of local experience or being overqualified for the job. I did not lose hope and go back to India, I continued on.”
migrant accountants.Indian Link
Tushar spoke to various people and got ideas about how to devise an employment strategy, keeping in mind his skills, experience and industry knowledge he had acquired over the years.
“The strategy was simple – make the best use of available time, focus on strengths, target specific sectors based on past experience and grab all related opportunities with both hands,” he said. “I focused on the IT sector, based on my past experience, and I knew that management accounting had high demand and low supply, perfectly complementing my skillset.”
After completing his CPA certification, Tushar pursued odd jobs and got an opportunity to work with a CPA firm for a short term role to develop a forecasting and budgeting application. This helped him establish contacts and develop local experience.
“Aligning my resume was important to ensure the right projection of my expertise,” Tushar said. “This secured me calls from recruitment agents specific to my career needs. Additionally, interpersonal skills such as positive attitude, communication and confidence played a key role in obtaining my first decent career break, roughly fifteen months after setting foot in Australia.”

Some highly qualified migrants go through a phase of desperation, and as they are unemployed, they are taken advantage of, leading to under employment and in some cases being severely under paid. It is a classic chicken or the egg story where migrants are asked for local experience and not given a job, but without the first job how can they ever gain the required local experience?
However, there is hope! ICAI chapters and local accounting organisations are definitely significant enablers, but the key to success in Australia lies within. During the initial struggle of a new migrant, staying positive, networking with trusted people, keeping busy with short term jobs or courses and developing a focused strategy while applying for jobs is definitely the way to go.
A growing migrant population and a local aging population presents both challenges and opportunities for a robust Australian economy. Those who have a strong desire and a passion to succeed will definitely find opportunities galore in Australia.

Cheers to science!

By
Mital Parekh
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0
Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Science in the Pub program takes expert knowledge straight to the pub

When watching up with friends on a Friday night for a few drinks in a pub, don’t be surprised if you bump into a scientist. What if I told you that your next visit to the local could turn out to be a learning experience and you might end up having an insightful discussion with a specialised scientist?
Science in the Pub Adelaide (SciPubAdelaide) is a free event open to the general public once a month on Friday afternoons at The Rob Roy Hotel after work. Here, people who may or may not be scientists come together in a relaxed and informal atmosphere to discuss, debate, criticise and learn more about current science issues while enjoying a drink on the side.
Instead of the usual pub discussions like which is the best beer, or reviewing footy games, Science in the Pub enthusiasts engage in discussions like why we crave the food we eat, where water comes from and where it goes, the truth about vaccines and understanding gravitational waves.

Breast cancer researcher Dr Pallave Dasari is an active committee member of SciPubAdelaide.“I became involved with SciPub as one of their speakers on the science of cancer,” Pallave told Indian Link. “I had such a wonderful experience that I joined the organising committee and have remained ever since, helping to create these events. We welcome all people to attend the SciPubAdelaide events to learn about science.”
The SciPubAdelaide initiative was started by Dr Andy Flies and Emily Johnston, researchers at the University of South Australia. Founded as an international initiative of taking science to the public, there were no current chapters in Australia, so Andy and Emily raised funds and set up Science in the Pub Adelaide.
“Where else does the public get to talk to scientific experts about their research?” Pallave observed. “Our regular attendees have heard speakers from a wide variety of subjects and institutions, including universities and the South Australia Museum. Each month we bring the top experts of Adelaide to cover a new topic in science; so far we have talked dinosaurs, stars, cancer, water and many other subjects. We often get suggestions from the audience about future topics. The upcoming March event will be covering the science of food.”

So, if there are any science questions boggling your mind and you would like to discuss them with experts in the field, a pub might just be the place for you to visit.
Holding these meetings in a pub gives it a laid back approach, allowing people like us, who would normally be intimidated to find themselves amongst a group of scientists and researchers, to be a part of these discussions. Science in the Pub focuses on all aspects of science; past topics include astronomy, cancer, palaeontology, pain, bees, water and many other topics. Topics for 2016 will include food, geology, weather and wine.
Let’s raise our glasses to drinking around science on a Friday night!

Journey of an artiste

By
LP Ayer
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0
Reading Time: 3 minutes

A classical dance program, Margam highlights the steps on the path to fulfilment

A recent buzz word that finds its way into every conversation, whether appropriate or not, is ‘journey’. However, the term found its most appropriate use in branding a dance program presented by Vinaya Rai and her 15 students recently. The recital, entitled Margam (The Journey), played to a packed house at the Parks Community Centre in the north-western Adelaide suburbs.

The hour-and-a-half program showed the progressive course that a Bharatanatyam dancer takes the audience through during a typical performance, exhibiting her skill and entertaining the gathering. Vinaya chose the title Margam to explain the process that an aspiring student goes through from the first few steps to the final goal of performing on stage. The evening fare was not a sequence of dances, but an amalgam of education and entertainment. It combined verbal description of special terms used in this complicated yet captivating art, in tandem with visual demonstrations so the uninitiated could understand and appreciate the nuances of the various body movements.

After giving a brief history of this art form and its origin at the temples of southern India, Vinaya quoted the analogy coined by Balasaraswathi, a renowned exponent – a Bharatanatyam recital is similar to a grandly structured temple. Two of Vinaya’s former students Tara and Maya, who were MCs for the day, referred to this analogy appropriately at the start of each item. After the customary Pushpanjali (prayer to the Lord and obeisance to the guru), the program started with the Alariupu, the introductory piece that begins with gentle movements of eyes, neck, shoulders and arms, moving down to the feet finishing in a crescendo of rhythm and beats. As Balasaraswathi said, “We enter the temple of dance Varnam through the gopuram (grand entrance spire) of alaripu.”
From there the event progressed to Jatheeswaram, that is like arriving at the ardrha mandapam (half-way hall in the temple). This was performed to the accompaniment of the all-time favourite song ‘Kuzhaloodhi manam ellam’, composed by Oothukadu Venkata Kavi. Prior to moving to the next major item Varnam, two light pieces with background music in Hindi and Tamil served as an interlude, giving Vinaya’s youngest students a platform to show their newly-acquired skills to the audience, doing their parents proud.

Varnam, being the anchor piece of a Bharatanatyam recital, is likened to arriving at the sanctum of the grand temple. Vinaya took it upon herself to perform the dance to the tune of the Tamil song Nadhanai azhaithuva sahiye (Oh my friend, usher in my suitor). For the concluding piece Tillana, known for brisk body movements and intricate footwork, a song on Lord Krishna by Dr Balamurali Krishna was chosen as the background music.

It is a laudable move to debut over a dozen youngsters ranging from tiny tots to tertiary students in one evening.  Vinaya and her family can take due credit for this at Margam. Credit in ample measure should go to those youngsters who try to learn a traditional art that demands enormous effort and enthusiasm in a foreign clime besides pursuing their studies and hobbies. They performed with passion to prove their worth.  Kudos to their parents too, who, having moved to a new continent, contend to nurture traditional artistic skills in the younger generation.

Women at work

By
Tasneem Zavery
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0
Reading Time: 3 minutes

A Women’s Day event celebrates the achievements of a range of different career women, each with inspiring stories

Diverse and inspirational Australian women united at the Queensland Multicultural Centre over morning tea for an event organised by the Global Organisation People of Indian Origin – GOPIO Queensland Women’s Council as part of Women’s International Week.
Five women from varied fields were acknowledged for their contribution to Australian society and overseas: Eleni Seitis, who suffers from 90 percent blindness and is a natural therapist; youngest Detective Senior Constable Jodie Randall; Ashely-Kate Schlenner, who has represented Australia in the 7th Down Syndrome Swimming Championships and is headed to the 8th one very soon in Florence, Italy; Manuela Whitford, founder of Friends with Dignity, and Sharon Orapeleng, an activist and advocate for social inclusion and equality.
Queensland Women’s Council.Indian Link
Eleni said that her visual impairment has never come in the way of her work. The founder of Oasis Natural Health Foundation, Eleni said, “With the natural therapy work that I do, I have developed a special technique called Energy Systems Healing, which incorporates a mixture of Bowen Therapy, massage and intuitive healing work on chronically ill and disabled children here in Australia and overseas.” Eleni also trains therapists, teachers, doctors and parents on this technique.
On her disability being a positive, she revealed, “The disability that I have is actually perfectly suited to the work that I do. I see with my hands, I use my brain and I have a gift that I can impart to others. The healing work is what I am really passionate about. I give everything a go!”
For others living with a disability, Eleni advised, “You don’t know what you can do until you give it a go. Step outside your comfort zone and do something that you have never done before.”
Down Syndrome swimmer Ashley-Kate, 24, who has earned the nickname ‘pocket rocket’ thanks to being the shortest swimmer on the Australia team, was quick with her observation, “And you can’t let all the boys have all the fun!” No doubt this can be taken to be her message to all women on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Commenting on challenges faced in her everyday work life, Detective Senior Constable Jodie Randall said, “As career women we face different challenges to our male counterparts and that will never change because women have different physiological factors that impact upon our work life. If we choose to be we are baby makers, mothers and more often than not the maid, chef, chauffeur and household cleaner. We are nurturers who are genetically dispositioned to taking care of our family. Juggling all of these personal life challenges with a career is not easy and it is not a task that is taken on lightly. Each individual woman needs to do what feels right for them.”

Queensland Women's Council.Indian Link
Amitha Jaggesar, President, GOPIO Queensland Women’s Council

True that, Jodie!
Laying emphasis on hope, Manuela observed, “Believe in yourself, celebrate yourself, and celebrate every other woman amongst you. We are all strong and powerful, and give hope to every woman out there. With hope you have purpose and with purpose you have dignity.” Her not-for-profit organisation provides practical assistance to aid individuals/families affected by domestic violence.
“I wanted to showcase the champions that we have just around us,” Amitha Jaggesar, President, GOPIO Queensland Women’s Council, told Indian Link. “We’ve managed to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and focused on the success they have achieved despite some of their different disabilities.”
Pumped with inspiration and positivity after listening to each of the speakers, an excerpt from Detective Senior Constable Jodie Randall speech continues to resonate in my mind. She said, “For me, achieving success has not been easy but it is my understanding that the difference between successful and not successful people isn’t talent, it’s persistence.”

Help #HealFiji

By
Indian Link
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0
Reading Time: 3 minutes

A music event helps raise funds for cyclone-affected Fiji. AKANSHA PANDAY reports

When Kush Sami heard of the devastation caused by the cyclone in Fiji, he knew he had to do something to help.
Well-known as a musician in Brisbane, he felt he had the perfect way to help fund-raise for the affected – a musical night.
Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief.Indian Link
“My people are suffering,” the 22-year-old told Indian Link. “I am using my skills and passion to help the people in my homeland.” Giving himself two weeks to plan the event, Kush recruited the help of good mate Raghav.
A tabla player himself, Kush drummed up support from various musical talents such as Trent Bryson, Parth Raval, Bart Stenhouse, Charulatha Mani and Darshil Shah. A great team came together to raise much-needed funds for Fiji. At the same time, they melted the hearts of the audience with their wonderful music, Indian classical and light Indian.Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief.Indian Link
Some fantastic dance numbers were presented too, thanks to Fijian and Indian youth. The youth of the Fiji church in Annerley sportingly took part and performed a native dance of Fiji. The Soul Bollywood dance company performed in their own characteristic style.
Kush’s humble nature and his genuine love for the people in his community saw the event finish as a success. More than 200 people attended not only for the music, but also to show their support for Fiji in its hour of need. Indeed, many of those present could feel Kush’s compassion for the cause.
Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief.Indian Link
Many volunteers helped out on the night at the auditorium, among them members of Kush’s own family.
For Kush and his relatives, the great emotional attachment to Fiji was obvious. “We still have family back there,” Kush revealed. “Most of them are fortunate enough to be living in a less affected area, but they’ve experienced the effects along with the rest of the nation. The most affected areas are Bae and Reki Reki and the sight of these places now makes me really sad.”
Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief.Indian Link
Kush’s cousin Yash, who acted as the host on the night, told the audience about his experience as he was in Fiji at the time of the cyclone. Suva, where his family lives, is where the campsites are located for the affected people.
The event raised a total of $4500. This money will be going to Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief which will then be utilised for reconstructing peoples’ homes and providing supplies for the Fijians.
 

Trailblazers

By
Sai Narayan
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0
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Meet two Indian-origin women who have gone a long way in the health sector in WA

The campaign theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was #PledgeForParity. However, according to a World Economic Forum prediction in 2015, the gender gap will not close entirely until the year 2133!
So, it is refreshing and inspirational to acknowledge women of Indian origin who have broken through multiple glass ceilings of gender and ethnicity to reach the zenith of success in the WA government health sector.
Both are trailblazers in their own right, showing us what’s possible and serving as inspirational role models for women who want to make their mark in the public service sector. They have taken risks, transformed challenges into success and in the process, shattered many stereotypes along the way.
Maha Rajagopal
Queensland Fiji Disaster Relief.Indian Link
Maha Rajagopal is the Executive Director of Nursing at the Royal Perth Hospital. Her journey to this highly contested, high profile position started three decades ago when she migrated to Perth in 1988 with her family. Having completed a diploma in nursing from Glasgow, Scotland, she was offered a job at the Royal Perth Hospital as a registered nurse. She later went on to complete a Bachelor’s in Nursing in 1994 and then an MBA in 1999. Rising through the ranks, she was appointed as Director of Nursing, RPH in 2009 and awarded Adjunct Associate Professor from Curtin University.
The opening of the new Fiona Stanley hospital brought major changes in the health sector.
“Health went through a major reform and reconfiguration of services across hospitals with the opening of Fiona Stanley Hospital,” Maha tells Indian Link. “I was asked in late 2012 to be Commissioning Lead for Royal Perth Hospital in the transitioning of services and staff to Fiona Stanley Hospital in 2014 and 2015.”
The year 2016 sees Maha taking up even more significant roles in the health sector as she will be Executive Director of Nursing at Royal Perth Hospital and the Bentley Health Group Hospitals as well as Area Executive Director of Nursing for the East Metropolitan health region. She will hold specific portfolios in nursing education, training, credentialing, and research, and will be clinical advisor to the Chief Executive and Executive Directors on strategic matters related to patient care, clinical priorities, workforce models and mental health.
The road to the top is paved with challenges. Maha acknowledges her struggle to be given an equal opportunity to prove herself, and to get the recognition she deserved for her ability, experience and intelligence. How did she transform these challenges into success?
“By having a clear vision for the future, being adaptable to change and taking tough decisions.”
To young women starting their careers, Maha advises, “Aim high, have confidence in yourself, and never be afraid of taking risks.”
Soniya Nanda-Paul
Women In Health.Indian Link
Another inspirational success story in the public health sector is that of Soniya Nanda-Paul, Chief Dental Officer in the Department of Health in WA. The Chief Dental Officer is the government’s most senior advisor for matters related to oral health and dentistry. An honours graduate of UWA dentistry achieving no less than 11 awards for excellence, Sonia started her career in community dental services and quickly progressed to area management roles. Sonia also achieved an Advanced Master of Business Administration from UWA.
With a strong grasp of complex policy detail and budgets, Sonia works to identify better ways to improve oral health service delivery to the Western Australian community, in particular at-risk community groups such as low income, complex needs patients (e.g. aged care), those from rural and remote populations, and Aboriginal groups.
What would she say are the factors behind her success in public service?
“A passion for equity in health,” she says with conviction. “As well, a strong work ethic. Plus, I’ve had some incredible mentors within WA Health, and of course the unwavering support of my family and friends is also a key factor.”
Soniya points out, “Like so many women, balancing family and work is the greatest challenge, and we don’t always win. In the professional world, I’ve had to overcome negative stereotypes and challenge assumptions that I am too young and inexperienced to hold senior positions.”
She believes that “building resilience” to face disappointments has been a challenge and possibly a key factor for her success. So what would her advice be then for youngsters, especially women, embarking on a career in public service?
“Be courageous; it’s ok to make mistakes. See them as opportunities to learn and do things differently. I can’t stress enough the importance of personal integrity, of being true to yourself. While knowing the business and processes is important, building relationships with those around you is very valuable.”

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